I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAC4iuFGig
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNtaQ2LhFi
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu2OnN1yw6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth8iwavH5s
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxQMCTofhI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKQ3HMPO89
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBbf50DTXn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSkkGwRxpa
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXPIRdOyKm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneje6ebwuD
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT8Nq4yedO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0suyd6KPT
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLOoAI1syB
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTQuLEdOpK
"...Sure."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh4mcvcu9t
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyc57dWvzT
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYIoC2buW0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodaMeVTgXk
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEe6zhd1Po
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkdbKMYZm3
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXNtP32FU1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzfAXB5Pup
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvfQDg5k6W
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyrlLtqHq1
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtVVVPXcCM
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpcHBDfkOb
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0H27VMv4g
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROQLbORg0T
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LZpM5A5Ca
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCWetngHz5
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM9pOnaiFg
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyst5YLrSel
"Wait, what!?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivhqPXTVp3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYXaTgXfYS
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9CH61AxrB
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtN3WaS8P
"Why not me?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mk6uVeXKD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Aly3rRQ8I
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOuYx0BpdL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpglopQclL1
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PGnuuo6Nk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrpoXnP08q
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g4STsF3Pd
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmKH77eDw0
No, you didn't.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0I0KgSks3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7YPMitvZ1
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbT9DTpZN2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy61cS40Rhj
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO3X0TDAJK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjVvQ5E6c3
"Huh?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHi2AhPhn8
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjbcjRG8HM
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBLZXHst2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoa8G50mLB
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbntRVwRQRI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vseUjiCAj
"Mhm!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGKalf9pDU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3imi8tV0rf
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx22cOzHmV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJ6CFUd6Z
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMIbcNJ7FF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3siLN2s7J
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8lTtEweVS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo8Y7Y8TGN
"...Fine."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT22DiBXRV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwzO7TXTa7
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncAbn5SR5I
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8af446RBmY
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAF6N2x8eU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxqawGhfYH
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbChE5G8iQy
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE14tr7wUy
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxEKntdHEJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8c7p4ToiM
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUawl6f77AT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bRdWbC5yv
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaaCWZF8z4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi7NsgPPoJ
"Is there... something you need?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz6GVEVRlb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAyqdZ0HmX
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVGZl3s1le
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M297ughvH
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbSpqVOEkr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO077ccylV
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkHrXqfwTd
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc1P4uvmHk
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3obsmygfnO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkCkTkwoLw
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa0NioTBgZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi625AkqYM
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz1rjO7bNk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH73UZsBQEr
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59VY9B8dY0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxPnLEhzrM
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4iQvMYZKF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuE9KqJuhS
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUShKC3sca
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW4VSK3ka6
She giggled a little. Creepy.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9eyo4TEzq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8GdKf1KvU
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7LeBfjLEE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiTdslyf6W
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wO1FyPDy6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlxuEBcNNW
What?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4zwQNxiks
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5scmUOSIJ5
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHygMD93Y96
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb85fA7GzoA
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5KryS9cTT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC5TrEQoRU
"O-Oh..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzty1yHkrS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLMace8al4
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYx1K9y0ix
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SZ6BLbX3J
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIvT87BDrW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ahNLi31qX
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI4KgNwLy6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlkZNAzHJY
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9pnaTzwgL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OknVK5Diq
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNyiSemBDk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6I3wWmlK4
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KgVmoqn92
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZoITmrfwg
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcOntqHEXA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCwBLj4LWL
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bfPfAfpu1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZecsAHtJ6
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9UgCwqyJo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLXIh1Ksc1
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtm6o8Zk9a
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMrxaGBmMI
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQNVDjYKbn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcAuLPKvSv
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtWLyn1dBj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbCYkmD2By
Front-page news!?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBHX8NgiOk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQvQJ4Lg0R
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQnNpgX8Ri
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmwjWLeuG2
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWNYLDMXLI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpYVQEjOh2
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaPkdqHT0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYKOHWuDXl
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ45UVE2ELT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F9bUi4Qop
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSwj9gZQSV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlwfcYNgAp
"No, I don't."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc1Wuz9jzE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IKudAsGW6
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd287XpBJ4l
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBFgJWwEFy
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oGjhrkkzN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1TeKqKUpC
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaLYVs8nEg
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fQ6Mop94
"Thank you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWQ72R7AQI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL8SGGstie
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1p8qBifqi
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGfgrmgOWy
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALYB2PLeF6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGNC3nQuHm
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIg2uxyMTR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaPRswnq2r
"Oh."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujTAjISwrt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKIDwAMtja
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2iHUj6zIW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkLsCQ2op4
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglyT14Lr5L
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUPESBZ12O
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh6l2I1LA6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnINlxo0Vn
Her face froze. I sighed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ7bm20TQT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88m1IVrf7B
"I-I'll do it in the morning."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprnKLm0YHR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwKCxgR2eg
"Good luck."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHSNsXO0qu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKptXWXIg8n
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KEEKvamiY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Quds2ax5
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03EwgzllHn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg4RqLFUhM
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB327wm5pE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTi5TGhbCO
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxQ7lrHM8e
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjb4opaMg8
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaUDQDk5tv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjeZjLodw7
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4shJF5sh3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOmkfWoxIj
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydCkrTztwA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8M4eI4fGZ
"Going to what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u5x7hO1nu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zmljUIWnp
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoNh51SgXX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwQ020et9v
"Huh? Wash myself?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuf5EpKOdY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHgDeb1t0K
"Yes. Like we did."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnTR8p3YV4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1Bf1sXRvf
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyHMGpPB4I
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1gMnMwsFT
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KdmwN6RSQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgWOHB7zwU
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp2sO72SwB
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWTrU1EIa
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f8mIMiwoG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBJ7jhX7CW
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RMmMyDJsJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70b5FdO9ps
"Buffalo Village."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkH1PiT9jF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQByLIOBu8H
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmXMHO5HNk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7q8nTsiXT
"Really? I didn't know that."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxufPbmyku4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCydSV83k5
Kim looked like she was smiling.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnBHrw7w7T
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHUp8nR0Mm
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ362Je5KAyX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hN20yFlrF
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUxbmFx9P0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoJWtIy95b
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iiVXg4MbZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MG3ZyB4dK
"Fine, fine."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW6jXY2Kel
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOt1hT5ow2
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxpuHWNbAe
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5FRwcnIOy
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iNAsVrWdG
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzt2ftoCAm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jOI1262on
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSvGdAUc8j
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgEr9kUndn
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q74M9bCLk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ6GbPwZkD
–
–
–
"...Mmm."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdINo7t4mBW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa75AvEA32T
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMOOaTG8xX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDtfmRjsXQ
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGL27Eylea
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIKtg854KN
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIm4toHiVi
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wc5FyT2qT
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jfFF7OIrU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQxWgMgLr
"Wow, you're hard at work."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTOGf0HoqO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv1qcTdD59
"Ah!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wBv60XUkg
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rdLsWuSKT
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPZfF9jsvY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAvZAHC1iI
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81iOJIDK4G
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSXvzwa4TU
"I don't think so... what time is it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hGqOmfJcI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q2N2UlMxG
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1icKRkUr0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQxo4TZt22
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAZw2hg19w
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOlCB38z0r
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD38xW211e
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxpmiXNZrj
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP1YSnXWmN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ04ClLZFTa
I did regret sitting beside her, though.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x1LIN0C40
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRumqgefO9G
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdfdGggHdI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpwY7OzB07
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLVMEIfLmt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd1hIVgxso
Flinty looked at me with excitement.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ABfNP0iPm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEUSnn6Qnq
"A goal?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILz4zy1Not
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2AcW89dn2
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf5UmUOQza
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxRjtaIYoi
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c8LYcbbYZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM6feBKzUb
"Okay, I'll do my best!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSaHZfj5AM
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJal8BshZMk
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL12K0g2KQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTkRhMcoWa
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxh84sZkSP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsAYTSMvZ1
"Good morning, Linda!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m3YyXUQTL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMbW6TF46P
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ44CkfqYlH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp1c8wqAKn
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNShqmtmqNJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWzyeEXepR
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyBRYCv2Ew
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Xm2ZWMHq
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKw687W5di
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfIhyNkxpe
Friday? Today is Friday?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnZWXEvFnR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP9492OWoV
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk7doNxD71
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtOmK17jx7
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ6HT5LOja
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewytodAopX
She looked at me curiously before answering.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdf9YCJAF1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYfJF2FrQt
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlsEvutpdD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzczi7Zde6
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh9tnQA3Qa
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllC6eh9K5Y
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7w96kE5Zx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlMuK6PwJd
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qqILp1lof
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuEwBqJgrq
"To whom? Those at your home village?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2BrqxgJRc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAzN7qmteo
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc3MgMTJn7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7WiFQJK2B
She lightly smiled.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PNcVAZYiX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OA1TkPAGn
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERihPWK0Px
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7ItFHBG4o
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXJ0wDpUKo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD80TkG7I7
She shook her head from side to side.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK7TtsziNC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9jTHSpQwl
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1rkO9EUAb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ301sHQOvov
"So you decided on living here?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TuC3KNBMe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwLPKS3yWL
She nodded.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF31lfA27ef
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa9URMOqpX
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV6CdKqVIi
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4YviaoOeg
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BcIyyGOoC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRp5BVyCTV
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOPiuEzaOF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoLA52Uvcb
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpenXlLWdT7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY2lbrFFEy
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc4LiAYRJ4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqihhjtQMU
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Id1BdTo0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KLp1NhYT3
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdURuT8IeXR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVLlpxy5zB
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwOGRmQ7E3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz3AGtRjea
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmLNOHLuH6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLuyvkZ6GN
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhBJQYFUt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfDvyXTDqS
"Hey, Victoria?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K4GKDtBjf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyfxHsRH16
"Yes?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tBwoFz9f6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9cDnzpZLj
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa8JwbNeTT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD3ixLKp4N
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkfbFmOgUz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkPHxRr2jF
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNRjhQq5iH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbbNvXr0Mr
"Kim, are you good?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT8PUJjvHW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWljc1ScjUo
Kim just finished packing her bag.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyENvfGr3k
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SrgH9Mkqc
"Yes. Let's get going."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Tq4ORC1W
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR9VY696Tx
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcSX10jTyn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRSyNZQ2gR
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL620QUErbK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bFDMhuJt4
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxygAyIjv8
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD9HQZs5kl
...She did do that, right?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXiE1KiSnK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6LgO2fwAx
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqc75lhxt7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBkmQXHJ4N
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacfXgmH6n5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ztTCA3BGB
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fl89RgT0s
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes7wqEm8LK
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZSQDFCUeO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqHtNr39Hx
"Hmm?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzILyqgZWbA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0oPzkiLbQ
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLKdUhmwme
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8NAJKZx2G
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHXEJDajO6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW621bZCaQ
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2AuWLGF5b
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikRpZLupOc
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTyP4mMWGj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi7h1PxGnY
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuER5L3URi4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxwuiCzsii
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt8i7tqcPZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjixHBJuXD
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMEKQy8GAQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoiT1CoGEA
"R-Right."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u8KQGI7vr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwiT1VDMbO
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1MHlrKZH7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFLQBmGanV
"Any objections?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNouHs15kT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJC5v05Cfb
None of us voiced any.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmVtnhMeuz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BDZHErRJ9
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aWDJpnm36
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXzglWWay8
"Of course."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkApIuoqp2D
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5c45fDOpI
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW8Hs3gWpY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KAjpT1khz
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3iePszW9J
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZbe0tFF5L
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGECfYXH69a
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBicKqG6vRp
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYZQYQzwUD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnk9YvBQ6X
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw0ivUsZDC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJcYev1TUn
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUYhvYlseY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4754eHgEU
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHX8Jgbg7p
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtDLO4ss6N
"Hold on, stop here."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkUHOClSWd
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ56yutFa2
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAmoinh01l
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M5tFHUy18
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRWCzZDmJL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaJg0r4YI1
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnnHDFO1LR
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxgSod5Tve
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxd8QBAqEM
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIHL8w4Xic
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KRhXYTvc
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsz3ohtKIe
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWQ2Z7wUhv
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf97laxeQw
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAqDtJJqiF
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv8AJJx1kI
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzea6zgmsLn
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaYiBHodG4
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZadBmGur4Q
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqClbd2bj9
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLN9oA5Fgm
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTws0iX5U2N
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"Heh, well..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYqcmiob9t
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgo5JwjNmE
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"What's the hold-up?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77K1BEfkBK
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyRRuWcPxo
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIY4Dix1tc
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ9yE2bY9e
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9Iw84hsv
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"So, what about you?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVgY084KLv
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTGOsQlUqF
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6C3oa1qB2
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1hzmTlya5
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeDOCLL76E
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhNREuRTnN
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"I can see now why– oop."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8HX8AFlGN
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ytZ13aYg
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qq9pGPKqU
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All of a sudden, a voice.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB8sXQLm9g
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"Something... I feel like something was here."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qRXpE4e3y
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FmEZukRsM
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ffku4Mg8f
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxueTqqK62n
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMAKgh9ebi
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VQ4UomxvO
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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